Thursday, March 31, 2005

Pope Given Last Rites

Pope John Paul II received the sacrament of the annointing of the sick, also known as last rites, late Thursday night as his health deteriorated. A high fever was brought on by an infection of the urinary tract and is currently being treated by antibiotics. Note that the administration of last rites does not necessarily mean that the pope is dying, but rather that he is seriously sick. CNN reports:

The pope is suffering from a high fever caused by a urinary tract infection, the Vatican confirmed earlier Thursday -- one day after revealing he had been put on a nasal feeding tube for nutrition.